Challenge 27: Create Party Invitations – One really easy way to do this is through Evite.com. You can email them out to your guest list or even text! If you’re not doing a formal party, maybe you need some sort of invitation for a family activity you’re doing, like a ticket for the Polar Express or to your traditional Holiday Movie Night. Whatever level of party invitations you need, work on those today!

Challenge 28: Plan Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Festivities – Whether you like to visit your Grandparents, or hit the snow Christmas day, get a rough plan together. We do a lot of festivities on Christmas Eve, and then take it a little easier on Christmas day so my plan will consist of a lot more Christmas Eve activities.

Challenge 29: Read up on how to be a good host!

I love when people come to my house for the holidays! It’s so surprising how having more people in the house can change the dynamics. I know for me if I’m not prepared then things don’t run as smooth and I’m a little stress through the whole visit. This challenge is a 2 parter. First, make a list of household chores that need to be done before your party or guest staying at your home. I’m not suggesting that you need to deep clean the whole house but the things that will only bug you!!! Make it simple so it’s doable. Make a schedule that won’t overwhelm you, so when they arrive at your doorstep, your ready to party!

Second: Stock up! This is the perfect time to stock up on paper plates, utensils, napkins, disposable tablecloths, batteries, etc.. We have a big family and I don’t want to do the dishes after each meal. This saves me a lot of time and I’m not stuck in the kitchen. Also, stock up your medicine cabinet. Tis the season for colds! One Christmas, my son, was sick and we couldn’t find anywhere that was open so we could purchase cold medicine. It was a miserable night!

Bonus: If you are the hostess with the mostess, you can make little baskets for the rooms of your guests. You can put little shampoo, conditioners, soap bars and treats, just to let them know how excited you are to have them in your home!

Challenge 30: Plan out what to wear! Your final challenge is to plan out your outfits for your whole family! Also, put blankets and extra jackets in the car just in case. For example at my Grandma’s Christmas party, I am always freezing when we do the piñata! With the blankets and jackets I will be prepared for me and my baby to be warm. Also, check out the cute clothes on the Lou Lou Girls Shop! I bought a cute new outfit for Thanksgiving!

We always go to my in-law’s house for Christmas, so the stress is on them, unfortunately. Sure, we chip in a dish to pass, help with clean-up, etc. If we were to plan a party, we could probably do this challenge, to take some stress off.

Thank goodness we’re having a quite Christmas at home this year, so I don’t need to stress so much this year. But I’ll definitely keep you tips in mind for the next time. There’s always a next time right?!!! 😀

I am skipping Christmas this year so I don’t have to worry about preparing anything because I will be traveling. It’s so hard to think about every single aspect of a big holiday family reunion and prepare everything ahead of time so that you don’t stress too much on the days.

Love those helpful tips! Still, don’t know what we do /where we will be for Christmas this year (Expat life at its best). Hopefully we will be with our family in France and then the stress of the planning will be on them haha! Though I love party planning so I wouldn’t mind!

WHAT a great way to plan ahead and be prepared! I have never hosted anyone else but my parents and i have never had any events in my home because it’s stressful hosting a party or a family at your house!

This is well thought out, I like the idea of stocking up before the holiday celebrations and family dinner parties. Also the idea of being prepared to colds and viruses that might creep up during the holidays.

I really appreciate all your tips ever since week 1. It’s been less stressful with all the holiday prep thanks to your tips! I love that you mentioned planning an outfit for the occasion! That’s just as important as everything else.

I think this year will be less of a hustle and bustle for us. I’m planning on getting things straight this time! This is a really good list. we haven’t got a clue what party or event we’re going to this year so it’s a little difficult to plan for this but I do totally understand being prepared and the importance of it

These are wonderful reminders. The holidays have had me stressing out. Thankfully, we won’t be hosting the party for our family this year. Otherwise I’d be a hot mess. But I do plan to decorate better this year.